Humidifier



D. HANDELAN Sept. 8, 1931.

HUMIDIFIER Filed Jan. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Don/'e/ Hcmde/cm Sept. 8, 1931-. V HANDELAN 1,822,656.,

HUMIDIFIER Filed Jan. 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l5 w 9 /4 5 B 50 I 11H In Patented Sept. 8, 1931 PATENT OFFICE DANIEL HANDELAN, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA nuumrrrnn Application filed January 18, 1929 Serial No. 332,819.

My invention relates to humidifiers and has for its object to provide a humidifier which may be constructed in theform of an article of furniture, such as a table, cabinet,

or the like.

Another object ofthe invention resides in providing a case, and disposing within said case a U-shaped duct structure through which the air passes and in which the same i humidified.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing said duct structure so as to cause the upper and lower ends thereof to fall short of the top and bottom of the case to provide upper and lower chambers within said case.

Another object of the invention resides in forming said case with an outlet near the top thereof and an inlet near the bottom thereof, said inlet being in communication with said lower chamber.

A feature of the invention resides in connecting one leg of said duct structure to said outlet and in leaving the upper end of said second leg of said duct structure open to communicate with said upper chamber.

A still further object of the invention resides in spacing said duct structure from the walls of said case to provide a passageway therebetween for brlnging said upper and lower chambers into communication.

Another object of the invention resides in placing a downwardly disposed spray nozzle within said upper chamber adapted to spray within the open end of said second leg of said duct structure.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing said duct structure separable from the case and in providing the case with an openin at the front thereof having guideways ad acent said opening for slidably supporting said duct structure.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a water eliminator associated with one of the legs of said U-shaped duct structure, said eliminator being slidably supported by said guides and separable from said duct structure.

A feature of the invention resides in forming said eliminator with an elbowi for bringing the discharge leg of said duct structure into communication with said outlet.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the outlet leg of said duct structure relatively flat so as to distribute the air discharged therefrom over a large area, and to construct the inlet leg of said duct structure so as to more nearly conform tothe shape of the spray issuing from said spray nozzle.

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction thereof and in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described or illustrated.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a humidifier, illustrating an embodiment of my invention, taken through the center thereof.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1 with the top closure removed and a part of the interior construction cut away.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the guide for supporting the duct structure and associated parts, drawn to an enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of a modification of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a modification of the duct support.

My invention comprises primarily a case indicated in its entirety at A, one form of which is shown in Figs. '1, 2 and 3. This case is preferably constructed to simulate an article of furniture such as a table, cabinet, or the like, and may be constructed of wood, metal or any other suitable material. The 99 case A comprises a front Wall 10, a rear wall 11 and side walls 12 and 13 which are open at the top and bottom The top of the case maybe closed by means of a closure l t-which is provided with depending flanges 15 adapted to hold the same properly ositioned with respect to the upper portion 0 the case. The two side walls 12 and 13 and the front wall 10 of the case A are formed with openings 16 at the lower portions thereof, which ex- 5 ently described, whereby the air from the floor of the room in which the humidifier is installed may be circulated through the humidifier and washed and humidified in its passage therethrough. The front wall 10 of case A is constructed with a large opening 18 which extends laterally to within a short distance of the side walls 12 and 13 and longitudinally from a point shortly above the opening 16 in said front wall and through the upper portion of the same. The front wall 10 of the case is provided with grooved guideways 19 and 20 along the opening 18 which extends throughout the entire length of said opening, and, which serves to support the interior structure of the humidifier. When the case is constructed of sheet metal, these guides may be formed by bending the metal along the sides of the opening 18 back upon itself as indicated at 21, and by further bending the metal in the opposite direction, as designated at 22, to form the groove 23 within the same. When the said case is constructed of Wood or other materials, the grooves within said. guide may be directly formed in the case or may be constructed by means of se arate cleats or other similar structures. lthough I have shown the groovesas formed in a case, it can readily be comprehended that the grooves, if desired, can be formed in the duct structure and arranged to engage the edge of the case.

Within the case A is disposed a U-shaped duct structure which I have indicated in its entirety at B. This duct structure comprises two legs 123 and 24 which are open at their upper portions and which are connected at the bottom by means of a pan or boot 25. The leg 24 of duct structure B is preferably of rectangular shape, being of a width substantially equal to the width of the opening 18 and of a relatively narrow depth. This leg may be constructed from a sheet of material which is bent to provide a back 26 and two sides 27 and 28 terminating in outwardly extending flanges 29. To the flanges 29 is attached a front 30 which may be riveted thereto or which maybe seamed or soldered thereto in any other suitable manner. The flange 29 and the marginal portionof the front 30 are adapted to be received within the grooves 23 of the guides 19 so as to slidably hold the said duct structure supported within the case A. The leg 123 of the duct structure B consists of a single sheet of materia 31 whichis formed as-a portion of a circle and is constructed with flanges 32 and 33 adapted to be riveted and soldered or otherwise secured to the back 26 of the leg 24. Both legs 123 and 24 are coextensive in length except that the upper portion 34 of the leg 24 is tapered forwardly for a purpose to be presently described. The boot 25, which connects the lower portions of both of the legs 123 and 24 of duct structure B, may be constructed as a casting or may be swaged from suitable material, such as lead, copper or the like. In either case, the said boot is formed with overlapping portions 35 which fit in between the corners formed by the wall 31 of leg 123 and the back 26 of leg 24, so as to completely seal the space therebetwoen and form a water tight connection between said egs.

As will be noted in the drawings, the upper portion of the duct structure B is disposed below the closure 14 of case A to provide an upper chamber 26, while the boot 25 'is disposed above the floor on which the humidifier rests to provide a lower chamber 37 therebetween. The lower chamber 37 is in direct communication with the exterior through the openings 16, while the chamber 36 which is in communication with the upper end of leg 123, which, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, opens upwardly into said chamber.

The space between the upper edge of the front 30 of the leg 24 of duct structure B and the top of the case provides an outlet for the humidifier, which I have designated at 38. This outlet is directly connected to the upper end of the leg 24 of the duct structure B by means of an elbow 39 which is attached to an eliminator 40 associated with the de vice. The eliminator 40 comprises a short rectangular duct 41 open at the front which is formed from a single sheet of material bent to provide a back 42 and side walls 43 terminating in flanges 44. The elbow 39 at the upper end of this duct is formed by bending the back 42 thereof forwardly in curved formation, and in attaching the same to the sides 43 of said duct. This elbow terminates in an upwardly extending flange 45., which, when the eliminator is properly installed, reaches up to the inclosure 14 and completes the up per portion of the case. The eliminator 40 is supported through the flanges 44 which are received within the grooves 23 of guides 19 and 20. The width of the duct 41 is such as to permit of freely inserting the same within the leg 24 of duct structure B, and the flange 44 thereof is of such a length as to terminate immediately above the front 30 ofv said eg so as to hold the entire eliminator supported in proper position with respect to the duct structure. Between the side walls 43 of duct 41 is arranged a series of spaced parallel deflectors 46, which deflectors are constructed with curved ends 47 and 48 which serve to alter the course of the passage of air through the device and to cause the precipitation of the surplus water in the air thereupon. These deflectors further assist in causing a uniform distribution of the air from the humidifier upon the passage of the same out the device I through the outlet 38. The deflectors 46 may be constructed with flanges 47 by means of which the same may be riveted or mediately above the upper edge of the leg 123 of the duct structure B, and which is centrally disposed relative thereto. so as to direct a spray of water downwardly through the said leg of the duct structure. This spray may be connected through a suitable pipe 50 with a water filter 51 which in turn maybe connected through a pipe 52 to any suitable source of water under pressure. It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the duct structure B is so shaped and disposed as to leave passageways 53 and54 between the outer walls thereof, and the case proper, which passageways bring the two chambers 36 and 37 into communication. When water is sprayed from the nozzle 49, the same causes the air within the duct structureto circulate downwardly along the leg 120. The air, on entering the device, passes through the openings 16 along the passageways 53 and 54, and into chamber 36, where the same enters the top of the leg 123 and is circulated through the device. Upon reaching the boot which is preferably curved, the air is reversed in direction and passes upwardly through the leg 123 of the duct structure. This reversal of direction of travel of the air causes the major portion of the larger globules of the water in the air to be precipitated therefrom.. In its passage through leg 123, the air passes between the deflectors 46 of eliminator 40 where the excess water in the air is finally eliminated therefrom. In passing said eliminator, the properly conditioned air .is discharged by means of the elbow 39 through the dischar e outlet 38 of the device. In this manner, t e

foul, dusty air is collected from the floor, is washed and humidified during its passage 'through' the humidifier, and delivered into the room in a desirable condition. A drain 55 may be employed at the-bottom -of the boot 25 for conducting away the surplus water from the spray 49.

Slidably'mounted within the grooves 23 of p the guides 19 is a shield 148 which covers 'the entire front of the duct structure B.

I his shield forms a part of the case proper and is decorated or finished in the same manner as the remainder of the case. Due to the fact that moisture is apt to flow along the exterior of the device immediately below the outlet 38 thereof, the said shield has been constructed detachable so that the'same may be removed and refinshed without refinishing the entire humidifier. If desired, a grill of any suitable type may be installed within the guideways 19 and 20 immediately above the shield 148 so as to obscure the outlet 38. In the construction of the device, considerable latitude may be used in the design and formation in the case of the humidifier which may be constructed to simulate a radio cabinet or phonograph cabinet, or may be constructed similar to a table or any other simi lar piece of furniture.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings, 1 have shown another method of attaching the duct struc ture to the case proper. In this particular construction, the guides 19 and 20 are formed with an inwardly extending flange 62 instead of the U-shaped construction shown in the other form of the invention by means of which the groove is provided. In addition, the flanges formed at the forward corners of the leg 24 of the duct structure B are dis-. pensed with. The said leg is rigidly secured to-the flanges 62 by means of bolts 63 in such a manner as to form a groove 64 between the front wall thereof and the folded portion 21 of the guideway in which the shield 148 may be mounted. The eliminator 41 may be similarly attached through its side walls 43 to the said flanges 62 to form a continuation of the grooves 64, which, if desired, may be utilized for the reception of a grill or other ornamental covering for the outlet of the humidifier.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, I have shown a modification of the invention simulating in appearance a corner table for insertion in the corner of a room. This device differs from the other device only in the fact that the case is constructed with three walls instead of four, and that the front wall is formed curved, as indicated at- 56 in Fig. 5. In this form of the invention, the duct structure is constructed with a triangular shaped leg 57 and an annular leg 58, which annular leg communicates through a special elbow structure 59 with the discharge opening in the front wall 56. With this device, a single curved deflector 60 is utilized in place of the eliminator 40, said deflector being attached to the elbow 59 and supported in the guides formed along the front walls, of the humidifier, the same as the eliminator 40. It will also be noted in this device, that the passageway 61 for bringing the upper chamber into com- -munication with the lower chamber extends supply of fresh air is taken in solely through the opening in the front wall.

My invention is highly advantageous in that it provides a simple and effective device whereby the air of the rooms, in which the device is installed, may be readily washed and humidified to the proper degree of humidity. The device may be constructed so as to simulate articles of furniture and provide an at tractive and pleasing appearance. The portions of the invention through which the water passes may be constructed entirely of sheet metal and formed water-tight, and, being separable from the case proper, may be removed for inspection and repair, and will prevent injury to the case from water. All of the parts are readily removed for cleaning and repair. The portion at the front of the case forms a shield for covering the entire construction, which may be removed to permit of refinishing if desired. The device is exceedingly compact and will operate to humidify and recirculate large quantities of air.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: I

l. A humidifier comprising a case having an inlet near the bottom thereof and an outlet near the top thereof, a U-shaped duct structure within said case falling short of the top and bottom thereof to provide chambers above and below said duct structure, said lower chamber communicating with said inlet, one leg of said duct structure being connected at the top to said outlet, the other leg of said duct structure being open at the top and communicating with the upper chamber, said duct structure and said case forming a passageway along said duct structure for bringing said chambers into communication, and means for humidifying the air passing through said duct structure.

2. A humidifier comprising a case having an inlet near the bottom thereof and an outlet near the top thereof, a U-shaped duct structure within said case falling short ofthe top and bottom thereof to provide chambers above and below said duct structure, said lower chamber communicating with said inlet, one leg of said duct structure being connected at the top of said outlet, and the other leg of said duct structure being open at the top and communicating with the upper chamber, said duct structure and said case forming a passageway along said duct structure for bringing said chambers into communication, a spray nozzle disposed within said upper chamber and directed into the open end of said second leg of said duct structure for humidifying the air passing therethrough.

3. A humidifier comprising a case open at the top and having an opening at the front thereof, guides formed along said case adjacent said front opening, a duct structure for conducting air through the humidifier slidable along said guides and supported therein, saidduct structure being removable through the opening at the top of the case, a closure for the top of the case, andmeans for humidifying the air passing through said duct structure.

4. A humidifier comprising a case having an opening at the front thereof, guides formed on said case along said opening, a duct structure for conducting air through the humidifier positioned along said guides and carried thereby, an eliminator associated with said duct structure, said eliminator being positioned along said guides and carried thereby, and means for humidifying the air passing through said duct structure.

5. A humidifier comprising a case having an opening at the front thereof, guides formed on said case along said opening, a duct structure for conducting air through the humidifier positioned along said guides and carried thereby, a shield positioned along said guides and covering said duct structure, and means for humidifying the air passing through said duct structure.

6. A humidifier comprising a case having an inlet near the bottom thereof and an outlet near the top thereof, a U-shaped duct structure within said case, an eliminator associated with one of the legs of said U-shaped duct structure and having an elbow thereon communicating with said outiet, said eliminator and elbow being detachable from said duct structure and case, and means for humidifying the air passing through said duct structure.

7 A humidifier comprising a case having an opening at the front thereof, guides formed on said case along said opening, a duct structure for conducting air through the humidifier positioned along said guides and carried thereby, an eliminator associated with said duct structure, said eliminator being positioned along said guides and carried thereby, an elbow formed on said eliminator and providing an outlet for said duct structure, and means for humidifying the air passing through said duct structure.

8. A humidifier comprising a case having an opening at the front thereof, a duct structure within said case for conducting air through the humidifier, said duct structure having a wall disposed at the front of the case and formed with an opening therein registering with the opening in the front of said case, means for liumidifying the air passing through said duct structure, means for closing the opening in said duct structure and case, and an eliminator within said duct structure positioned behind the opening therein and removable from said duct structure through said openings.

9. A humidifier comprising a case having an inlet near the lowermost portion thereof and an outlet near the top thereof, a duct structure detachably mounted in said case, said duct structure opening at one portion of its upper end into the case and communicating at another portion thereof with said outlet,s'aid case being constructed water tight at its lowermost portion, means for spraying water into the open end of said case, said case and duct structure forming a passageway therebetween leading from said inlet and around the open end of said duct structure and into the same.

10. A humidifier comprising a case formed with a front wall and a top and having an opening along the front wall immediately below said top, said case being further constructed with openings at the lowermost portion thereof, a duct structure comprising a downwardly extending leg and an upwardly extending leg, a boot for connecting the lower ends of said legs together, an elbow for connecting the upper end of the upwardly extending leg to said upper opening, said composite duct structure being spaced from the walls of said case to leave a passageway therebetween and said downwardly extend ing leg falling short of the top of said case to provide a chamber thereabove communicating with said passageway, said passageway being further in communication with the lower openings in said case, and a spray nozzle situated at the upper end of said down- 'wardly extending leg for humidifying the air passing through said duct structure.

11. A humidifier comprising a case having an inlet near the bottom thereof and an outlet near the top thereof,'a U-shaped duct structure within said case falling short of the top and bottom thereof to. provide chambers above and below said duct structure, saidchambers being in communication with one another, said lower chamber communieating with said inlet, one leg of said duct structure being connected at the top to said outlet, the other leg'of said duct structure being open at the topand communicating with the upper chamber and means for humidifying the air passing through said duct structure.

12; A humidifier comprising a case having an inlet near the bottom thereof andan outlet near the top thereof, a U-shaped duct structure within said case falling short of the top and bottom thereof to provide chambers above and below said duct structure, said chambers being in communication with one another, said lower chamber communicating with said inlet, one leg of said duct structure being connected at the-top to said outlet, the other leg of said ductstructure being open at the top and communicating with the upper chamber, and a spray nozzle disposed within said upper chamber and directed into the open end of said second leg of said duct structure for humidifying the air passing therethrough.

13. A humidifier comprising a case open at the bottom thereof, and having an outlet near the top thereof, legs for said case supporting said case above the surface on which it is disposed to provide inlets leading into the case intermediate said legs and between the bottom of the case and the surface on which it rests, means within said case forming a duct communicating with the open bottom thereof and connected with said outlet, and means for humidifying the air passing through said duct.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature to this specification.

DANIEL HANDELAN. 

